Accra: In a landmark move to bridge the creative economies of Francophone and Anglophone Africa, the Republic of Congo has initiated a creative collaboration with Ghana. The partnership is aimed at promoting Pan-African integration through film, culture, and shared storytelling.
According to Ghana News Agency, Madam Claudia Yoka, a renowned filmmaker and Presidential Technical Advisor from the Republic of Congo, led a delegation that included Ms. Monie Lek, a Congolese actress, and Mr. Dymo Sow, a Francophone filmmaker. Their visit was facilitated and supported by the African Chamber of Content Producers (ACCP), which has been at the forefront of continental creative integration through initiatives like the Africa Monologue Challenge and the Africa Image Ambassador Programme.
During her stay, Madam Yoka held high-level meetings with the Chief Executive Officer of the National Film Authority of Ghana, Madam Kafui Danku, as well as other key creative industry stakeholders, including veteran filmmaker Mr. Roge
r Quartey and award-winning filmmaker Madam Juliet Asante. The discussions focused on integrating the creative economies of Francophone and Anglophone Africa to tell united African stories that resonate across linguistic and colonial boundaries.
Madam Claudia Yoka highlighted Ghana’s historic role in the development of Nigeria’s film industry as a key factor for choosing Ghana as a partner. She expressed the readiness of the Republic of Congo to work closely with Ghanaian counterparts and noted that her government was fully supportive of the initiative. Madam Kafui Danku expressed Ghana’s commitment to facilitating any policy framework needed to ensure the success of the collaboration, emphasizing the country’s dedication to becoming a hub for continental creative partnerships.
Mr. Roger Quartey, veteran filmmaker and Chairman of the Media and Culture Sector of the ACCP, assured that the Chamber would activate all networks and resources to ensure the collaboration’s success. He recounted his experience in t
he Ghana-Nigeria collaborations that helped build Nollywood, highlighting Ghana’s expertise in fostering film industries.
Madam Juliet Asante expressed her enthusiasm for the collaboration and pledged her support to ensure its success. She noted the mutual benefits for the creative industries of both countries and emphasized the potential for women to gain from cross-border mentorship and production opportunities. The possibility of linking her Black Star International Film Festival with Madam Yoka’s film festival was also discussed as a means to grow audiences and elevate the profile of African cinema.
Mawuko Kuadzi, an Artios Award winner and the highest-ranked Africa Image Ambassador within the ACCP’s pilot programme, has been selected to handle casting for a proposed Congo-Ghana film project. This project is expected to commence in the coming months and will serve as a flagship initiative for cross-border creative collaboration.
Mr. David Adofo, Head of Research and Development at the ACCP, shared his
insights on the potential for Africa to become the next frontier of global development through unity and shared culture. He emphasized the importance of a collective identity and shared purpose in driving development, drawing parallels to China’s rise.
Nana Dwomoh-Doyen Benjamin, President of the ACCP, challenged African leaders to recognize the creative economy as a powerful tool for unity and development. He encouraged leaders to engage with passionate and experienced creatives to harness their work for national and continental development.
The delegation also explored potential filming locations in Ghana as part of preparations for the planned Congo-Ghana film project, which is expected to begin production within the next few months. This project aims to demonstrate the power of creative collaboration and inspire similar partnerships across Africa.